'I wanted to prove myself' - Harmanpreet

India were not equipped to handle big occasions, so said Mithali Raj, the captain. Those comments came from a place of disappointment after her team had lost to Australia in the group stage. But now, a week after that thrashing, on a stage as massive as the semi-final of the World Cup, one of her team-mates produced an innings for the ages against the same opposition. Harmanpreet Kaur mauled 171 off 115 balls - she was 41 off 60 before going on a brutal onslaught that would yield 131 off 55.

The 28-year old hard-hitting batsman had earned acclaim in the T20 circuit, becoming the first Indian to be picked for the Big Bash League and the Kia Super League. But at the World Cup, Harmanpreet found herself coming in towards the slog overs and so struggled to get time in the middle. Before the semi-final, she had faced only 91 balls in five innings. "I didn't get a chance to bat in the whole tournament," she told the host broadcasters after her unbeaten innings, "Today when I got the chance I just wanted to utilise it, this opportunity, because today was the day where I wanted to prove myself, and thanks to God, whatever I was thinking, [worked]. Mithali and Deepti [Sharma] scored really well and Veda [Krishnamurthy] scored really well."

In much the way her idol, Virender Sehwag, used to play, Harmanpreet's thought process at the crease was very simple. "Today's plan was just watch the ball, hit it hard and this is what I was doing." But she had to be careful early on. After all, Australia had India at 35 for 2 in the 10th over. "Some areas they were bowling well but I just wanted to hit and rotate the strike."

Harmanpreet's partner for much of the day was Deepti Sharma, the only Indian woman with a higher score in ODIs. "I just told her to rotate the strike, you don't have to take the pressure, I was hitting the ball well and I told her to give me the strike and I will take the responsibility and she did a great job."

But there was one moment of miscommunication during theit 137-run stand. On 98, Harmanpreet knocked a ball into the leg side and immediately called for a second run. But Deepti did not seem so keen. Harmanpreet berated Deepti to complete the double, and after a relay throw via the wicketkeeper ended at the non-strikers' end brought the third umpire into play, she flung her helmet onto the turf and sent another angry volley of words at Deepti. Eventually, the green light came on and Harmanpreet put an arm around her partner to make up for the momentary slip up.

"Of course, it was heat of the moment and I said sorry to her because I don't want to lose my wicket at the that moment and I don't want to lose her wicket too, I got a little bit angry but we are fine now."

one of best inning I have seen in my life time... what a dedication and focus for team cause..you deserve all applause

jeffer8831006
on July 21, 2017, 0:30 GMT

if women's cricket wants to be classified and judged according to men's standards then such a stupid display of anger needs to be contained. No matter what the situation....you cannot....and I repeat CANNOT throw off your helmet and berate your partner...especially a partner considered a better bat than yourself

mitcjo2069057
on July 20, 2017, 19:21 GMT

@praveen harmanpreet the new harmanpreet. Great innings . let them retain their identity bro. let them be the first mandhana and kaurs

kadavu0435409
on July 20, 2017, 19:10 GMT

Congratulations Team India. What an effort? Backing up Harman's innings with all the bowling performance is a truly amazing team effort. I trust Mithali and co continue this streak to the final. What an advertisement for women's cricket India! Inspiring stuff.

Sandeep
on July 20, 2017, 19:09 GMT

congratulations Indian Women. solid performance by Harmanpreet.

mitcjo2069057
on July 20, 2017, 19:07 GMT

what a game. thrill to the end Kaur villiani blackwell

Anand
on July 20, 2017, 19:02 GMT

Congratulations to the WomenInBlue for reaching the finals...A scintillating batting by Harmanpreet Kaur...

one of best inning I have seen in my life time... what a dedication and focus for team cause..you deserve all applause

jeffer8831006
on July 21, 2017, 0:30 GMT

if women's cricket wants to be classified and judged according to men's standards then such a stupid display of anger needs to be contained. No matter what the situation....you cannot....and I repeat CANNOT throw off your helmet and berate your partner...especially a partner considered a better bat than yourself

mitcjo2069057
on July 20, 2017, 19:21 GMT

@praveen harmanpreet the new harmanpreet. Great innings . let them retain their identity bro. let them be the first mandhana and kaurs

kadavu0435409
on July 20, 2017, 19:10 GMT

Congratulations Team India. What an effort? Backing up Harman's innings with all the bowling performance is a truly amazing team effort. I trust Mithali and co continue this streak to the final. What an advertisement for women's cricket India! Inspiring stuff.

Sandeep
on July 20, 2017, 19:09 GMT

congratulations Indian Women. solid performance by Harmanpreet.

mitcjo2069057
on July 20, 2017, 19:07 GMT

what a game. thrill to the end Kaur villiani blackwell

Anand
on July 20, 2017, 19:02 GMT

Congratulations to the WomenInBlue for reaching the finals...A scintillating batting by Harmanpreet Kaur...

Congratulations to the WomenInBlue for reaching the finals...A scintillating batting by Harmanpreet Kaur...

mitcjo2069057
on July 20, 2017, 19:07 GMT

what a game. thrill to the end Kaur villiani blackwell

Sandeep
on July 20, 2017, 19:09 GMT

congratulations Indian Women. solid performance by Harmanpreet.

kadavu0435409
on July 20, 2017, 19:10 GMT

Congratulations Team India. What an effort? Backing up Harman's innings with all the bowling performance is a truly amazing team effort. I trust Mithali and co continue this streak to the final. What an advertisement for women's cricket India! Inspiring stuff.

mitcjo2069057
on July 20, 2017, 19:21 GMT

@praveen harmanpreet the new harmanpreet. Great innings . let them retain their identity bro. let them be the first mandhana and kaurs

jeffer8831006
on July 21, 2017, 0:30 GMT

if women's cricket wants to be classified and judged according to men's standards then such a stupid display of anger needs to be contained. No matter what the situation....you cannot....and I repeat CANNOT throw off your helmet and berate your partner...especially a partner considered a better bat than yourself

umesh
on July 21, 2017, 4:34 GMT

one of best inning I have seen in my life time... what a dedication and focus for team cause..you deserve all applause

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